February 2016
 1st February marked 6 years since the Social Enterprise Mark was officially launched at a national conference in Cardiff. What a journey it has been since then...!
We are now looking forward to the next 6 years of upholding the standards of genuine social enterprise, and supporting our Mark holders to stand out from the crowd, as credible social enterprises, proven to be trading for social purposes.
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We have recently launched new detailed guidance to support applicants and renewing Mark holders to measure and articulate the social impact they are creating |
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In the second part of his blog, our Assessment and Compliance Manager Richard Cobbett looks in more detail at how social enterprises can calculate the financial value of the social benefits they have created.
Richard also emphasises the importance of commitment to commercial success in order to serve social objectives. A point well made by Warren Rogers, Director of Mark holder Connection Crew:
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We have now launched our new look online directory, showcasing our international network of accredited social enterprises and the great work they do
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Interested in finding out more about becoming an accredited social enterprise? Complete our short form to register your interest today and we will be in touch
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Llanwrtyd Wells Community Transport - Making a Mark
- Richard Cobbett, Assessment and Compliance Manager
 This month, we feature the social impact statements provided by Mark holder Llanwrtyd Wells Community Transport.
It would be easy to define this colourful organisation in 'black and white' terms, as one that provides much needed transport services to their local community, or as filling a gap in public services where commercial companies see little profit. But you don't have to dig far below the surface to see a social enterprise engaged with its community in ways that extend well beyond this:
- Managing a community centre that acts as a hub for social interaction, to inform and educate, providing IT resources to those who lack them
- Shopping support services that are as much about bringing people together as they are in helping them fulfil an everyday need
- Tending a community garden that has provided fresh produce for families on a weekly basis
 The success of Llanwrtyd Wells Community Transport can no doubt be measured in the numbers of people that have benefited from the above services, compared to the local population perhaps, or in other ways that illustrate their levels of engagements.
However, their value to the local community becomes more apparent once it is placed into a context of interactions and what these mean to people.
To view this, and other examples of how Mark holders are demonstrating their social impact, please visit the Making a Mark page on the website.
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8th and 9th June 2016
MediaCity UK, University of Salford
We are delighted to announce that we are now taking earlybird bookings for the 2016 Social Enterprise Mark conference, which will focus on 'Credibility through Accreditation'.
 The first day will be a forum exclusively for Mark holders to meet, network and share updates and good practice. We are also pleased to confirm that former Minister for Health and former Minister for Third Sector and Social Finance Phil Hope will be chairing a discussion session for Mark holders, looking at how you can prove social value as an outcome of services.
The forum will be followed by a complimentary drinks reception to celebrate Mark holder achievements.
 On the second day, we will welcome a wider audience, and will look at the importance of accreditation and standards systems, and how these can help organisations to measure, demonstrate, and report on their social impact. We will be joined by a number of guest speakers, including representatives from a panel of accreditation and standard-setting authorities.
Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities
The event is being kindly hosted by Gold Mark holder University of Salford, as the venue sponsor. There are a range of sponsorship opportunities available, including headline sponsorship and drinks reception sponsorship. Please get in touch if you are interested in being involved as a sponsor.
Earlybird rates are now available from just £99+VAT until 31st March 2016, please click here to book yours today.
Brand discovery workshop - define yourself
Wednesday 17th February 2016, 1.30pm - 5.00pm
Sjovoll Centre, Durham
The starting point for any business enterprise is to build a strong brand. In this workshop, there will be a lot of soul searching and a lot of fun, and at the end you should go away with a clearer idea of what your brand story is and how to define it for marketing and communications.
 Helen Barlow is a graphic designer and ethical warrior. She has worked with charities, businesses and social enterprises to improve their visual communications.
For full information, and to book your place, please visit the website.
 Social entrepreneurs network
Wednesday 17th February 2016, 5.00pm - 7.00pm
Sjovoll Centre, Durham
Join Mark holder Social Enterprise Acumen at their first social enterprise network meeting on 2016, where they will be joined by Helen Barlow, a graphic designer and ethical warrior.
Helen will share her experience of working with charities, businesses and social enterprises to improve their visual communications. Come along and find out what are the key factors that will help you stand out from the crowd.
For full information, and to book your place, please visit the website.
 Social enterprise lecture series
Throughout February and March 2016
Goldsmiths, University of London
The Institute for Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship at Goldsmiths, University of London is holding a series of social enterprise lectures, showcasing social entrepreneurship across all sectors, and from around the world.
Speakers include Margaret Bolton, former Director of Policy and Research at NCVO.
For the full programme, please visit the website.
 Media training for social enterprises
Tuesday 15th March 2016, 10.00am - 4.00pm
London
Talk Action are hosting a day of practical media training to give you the tools to successfully promote your organisation.
Participants will learn how to prepare and package media stories, and learn how to communicate stories in a way that sets the media agenda and positively promotes your organisation.
For full information, and to book your place, please visit the website.
Mark Holder News
Welcome to new Mark Holders
A warm welcome to our newest Mark holders - 2nd Chance Group CIC, Beach Creative CIC, and Health Exchange CIC.
2nd Chance uses the power of sport to engage people in the criminal justice system, as well as young people considered most at risk. By using positive community role models, they are able to build up levels of trust and mutual respect, so that alternative lifestyles can be introduced.
 Beach Creative is a creative hub, providing studios, gallery spaces, meeting rooms and workshop spaces for creative professionals, local groups, students and enterprises.
They aim to support, advocate, influence and enable the development of creative industries in their local area, and to widen community access to, and participation in the arts.
 Health Exchange CIC has been promoting health and wellbeing and tackling health inequalities since 2007. They support people in the West Midlands to make informed lifestyle choices that improve their health and wellbeing.
John Taylor Hospice CEO leaves "best job in Birmingham"
 Kate Phipps, CEO of Gold Mark holder John Taylor Hospice is to leave the Birmingham-based social enterprise after 5 years at the helm.
Kate successfully steered the hospice from its spin-out from the NHS into a thriving independent community interest company. During her time as CEO, Kate has seen the launch of new clinics and services, the doubling of patient contacts, and new contracts for care.
Kate said "It has been an incredible five years. The position of CEO at John Taylor Hospice truly is the best job in Birmingham."
Please visit the website for full story.
Balance CIC named best performing mental health employment project in London
 Mark holder Balance CIC was recently named the best performing mental health employment project by an independent evaluation paper published by London councils, documenting performance in the last round of European Social Funding (ESF).
During the project, Balance supported 461 people with mental health needs to improve their employment prospects, of which 226 had found employment within 13 weeks of leaving the project.
Andrea Briggs, CEO of Balance said "I am very proud of Balance's mental health employment team...they have supported our customers to reach their employment goals....To be labelled as the 'best performing project in London' is a real honour."
For more information, please visit the Balance website.
Salford leading the way for health and wellbeing services
Mark holder Unlimited Potential (in partnership with Inspiring Communities Together) has been chosen to participate in the national Realising the Value programme, funded by the NHS.
Through the programme, Unlimited Potential will enhance their services across Salford while championing their innovative models for health and wellbeing.
Chris Dabbs, Director of Innovation at Unlimited Potential said "The opportunity to work with leading national organisations participating in the programme is one that we could not turn down...It reflects the quality innovation and practice that exists here in engaging with local people in the city."
For more information, please visit the website.
Ebico again one of top rated energy providers
 Mark holder Ebico has been named in the top 5 energy providers, in terms of customer satisfaction, in the recent Which? Best Energy Companies 2016 survey.
Results from the survey showed that smaller energy suppliers are beating the Big Six hands down when it comes to customer satisfaction.
Ebico has featured in the top 5 since the survey begain, demonstrating their commitment to delivering the best experience for their customers.
For more information, please visit the Ebico website.
Art4Space 'Connecting Stockwell' project
Mark holder Art4Space recently launched its latest mosaic project - 'Connecting Stockwell'.
Elinor Seath of Art4Space said "We had a fantastic project launch -we saw lots of new local faces, wanting to find out how they could get involved in the project and share their ideas for the artwork."
 
The project will transform a large raised bed in Stockwell, using mosaic art. The objective is to bring businesses and community groups together to have a positive impact on their local environment. The project will be completed over a 6 month period, and the artwork will be created through a programme of workshops with local schools, businesses and community groups.
The next workshop is running on Saturday 20th February from 1pm - 4pm, at the Art4Space Community Arts Centre. To find out more about the project, please contact Elinor Seath.
2nd Chance Group stakeholder survey
#IamSBSM at University of Salford
Students on the MSc Social Business and Sustainable Marketing course at Gold Mark holder University of Salford have recently produced a short video to promote the unique Masters course, which enhances knowledge and understanding of social business models.
University of Salford is the only university to have been awarded the Social Enterprise Gold Mark, for demonstrating social enterprise excellence in governance, ethics, and financial transparency, particularly excelling in community engagement.
Innovating supply chains for social value
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Credibility through accreditation - June 2016
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